Landlord Entering Without Notice in Michigan: What Are My Rights?
Michigan law limits how your landlord can act when it comes to entering your home or trying to remove you from it. This page explains when your landlord can lock you out or interfere with your home. It also explains what you can do if your landlord breaks these rules, and the deadlines for going to court.
-
In this law, "your landlord" can mean the owner of your home. It can mean the lessor (the one who leases it to you). It can mean the licensor (the one who lets you live there). It also covers the company or person that rents it to you, and anyone acting for your landlord, such as a property manager.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Usually, your landlord cannot use force or the threat of force against you. Your landlord also cannot take, keep, or destroy your belongings. Michigan law calls this unlawful interference with your right to stay in your home.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Your landlord can change, alter, or add locks or other security devices on your home. But your landlord must give you a key or another way to get in right away when this happens. Usually, changing your locks without doing this is unlawful interference with your right to stay in your home.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Usually, your landlord cannot board up your home in a way that stops you from getting in or makes it harder to get in. Your landlord also cannot remove your doors, windows, or locks. Michigan law calls this unlawful interference with your right to stay in your home.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Your landlord cannot cut off or interrupt a service you arranged for yourself, or one your landlord must provide, such as heat, water, or gas. This applies when losing that service would be serious enough to force you to leave your home.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Usually, your landlord cannot bring in noise, bad smells, or another nuisance (something that badly disturbs your ability to live in your home). Michigan law does not allow it.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Your landlord's actions are allowed in some cases under this law. First, a court order can allow your landlord to act. Second, your landlord can come into your home for a short time. This is only allowed to make needed repairs or to check on the home, if the law allows it.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Write down the date and what your landlord did each time this happens. Keep copies of texts, emails, or photos that show what happened. Having this proof ready can help you later if you decide to go to court.
-
If your landlord illegally interferes with your right to stay in your home, Michigan law lets you get money from your landlord. You can get your actual losses, or $200, whichever is more, for each time it happens. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays. If you lost your home because of this, you can also get it back.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
If your landlord forces you completely out of your home in an illegal way, Michigan law lets you get extra money. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays: 3 times your actual losses, or $200, whichever is more. For example, 3 times $600 in losses is $1,800. You can also get your home back.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Your lease cannot take away the protections in this Michigan law, even if you sign a lease that says you give them up. Your landlord cannot make you give up these protections, no matter what your lease says.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
You must start a court case to get back your home within 90 days. That 90-day period starts from when your landlord's illegal action happens, or from when you find out about it.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
You must start a court case to get money within 1 year. That 1-year period starts from when your landlord's illegal action happens.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
If you cannot peacefully get back into your home, you can ask a court for help. You can also ask a circuit court to order your landlord to stop doing something. This is called injunctive relief (a court order to stop certain actions).
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
Is something on this page wrong or out of date? Tell us.